Synthesis,characterization, and transport properties of Nafion-polypyrrole membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Due to their distinctive chemical, electronic, and environmental properties, polypyrrole is used as a blocking barrier for methanol leakage in direct...     

Mesoscopic Strain Fields Measurement During the Allotropic α − γ Transformation in High Purity Iron

The allotropic phase change from ferrite to austenite represents a moment of massive interplay between the microstructural and mechanical states of iron. The difference of compacity between the two phases induces a microplastic accommodation in the material at grain scale. However, mechanical heterogeneities resulting from the transformation process remain challenging to characterise due to the high temperature conditions it is associated with. We developed experimental equipment for in situ observation of α ? γ and γ ? α transformations. Images of the surface of an iron sample taken by an optical camera were used as input for a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) routine. Special care was taken to maximize image resolution to capture sub-grain phenomena. Observations show that, at the mesoscopic scale, shear strain fields exhibit strong localisations that are evidence of transformations that are occurring.

     

Chiral 7-Oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane Building Blocks for Prostanoids

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - Methyl (Z)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-5-(2-methoxy-2-oxoethyl)-3,4-(isopropylidenedioxy)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]-prop-2-enoate was synthesized, and its intramolecular...     

Structural verification of a tetrahydrotetrazole compound

Tetrahydrotetrazoles are five‐membered‐ring heterocycles containing four contiguous saturated nitrogen atoms. Very few examples of such compounds have been reported in the literature. Our previous attempt at the synthesis of a member of this class of compound suggested that the N—N bonds may be more labile than expected. This finding raised the question as to whether the structures of any of the previously reported tetrahydrotetrazoles had been properly assigned. We have reproduced the synthesis of a reported tetrahydrotetrazole, namely 1,2‐di‐tert‐butyl 3‐phenyl‐1H,2H,3H,10bH‐[1,2,3,4]tetrazolo[5,1‐a]isoquinoline‐1,2‐dicarboxylate, C₂₅H₃₀N₄O₄, and have now confidently confirmed its structure via X‐ray crystallography. However, while sufficiently stable in the crystal phase, we discovered that it remains very labile in solution (having a half‐life of only 15 min at 20 °C in CDCl₃). A tentative reaction pathway for its dissociation based on ¹H NMR spectral evidence is provided.     

Proteins and peptides voltammetry: Trends,potential, and limitations

Numerous biological processes are connected with the efficient electron transfer reactions in proteins and peptides. In this review, we discuss briefly the relevance and current challenges associated with the voltammetric analysis of peptides and proteins with and without a metal redox center. Special attention is paid to the integration of electrochemical methods with new nanomaterials which offers amplification of multiplexing capabilities for simultaneous and very sensitive examination of various proteins. After critically discussing the most interesting approaches in the proteins/peptides voltammetric analysis reported so far, for the single or multiplexed examination of such biomolecules with demonstrated applicability in the real-sample analysis, existing challenges still need to be addressed and future directions in this field will be pointed out.     

Synthesis of Polyol Tetrabromophthalate and Its Use as a Component for Preparing Foamed Polyurethanes of Reduced Flammability

A procedure was suggested for preparing brominated polyols of reduced viscosity for the synthesis of foamed polyurethanes of reduced flammability. The flame-retarding action of the synthesized polyol tetrabromophthalate in polyurethane was studied in comparison with that of other widely used flame retardants. Evaluation of the effect exerted on the flammability of the polurethane compound by the polyol tetrabromophthalate synthesized, melamine, and aluminum hydroxide shows that all the samples containing flame retardants are self-extinguishing. The shortest combustion time was observed for the sample containing 6% polyol tetrabromophthalate synthesized. The sample containing as a flame retardant additive solely the synthesized polyole tetrabromophthalate also exhibits the highest performance as a heat-insulating material from the viewpoint of thermal conductivity.

     

Additive Hermitian idempotent preservers between operator algebras

Let L be an additive map between (real or complex) matrix algebras sending $n\times n$ Hermitian idempotent matrices to $m\times m$ Hermitian idempotent matrices. We show that there are nonnegative integers $p,q$ with $n(p+q)=r\le m$ and an $m\times m$ unitary matrix U such that$L(A)=U[(I_p?A)\oplus (I_q?A^t)\oplus 0_{m?r}]U^{?},\text{for any}n\times n\text{Hermitian}A\text{with rational trace}.$ We also extend this result to the (complex) von Neumann algebra setting, and provide a supplement to the Dye-Bunce-Wright Theorem asserting that every additive map of Hermitian idempotents extends to a Jordan ?-homomorphism.     

Regio- and Stereoselective Addition of Selenium Dichloride to Alkyl Propiolates

Russian Journal of Organic Chemistry - The reaction of selenium dichloride with methyl and ethyl propiolates leads to formation of anti-Markovnikov adducts. The regio- and stereoselective synthesis...     

Recent advances and challenges in the recovery and purification of cellular exosomes

Exosomes are nanovesicles secreted by most cellular types that carry important biochemical compounds throughout the body with different purposes, playing a preponderant role in cellular communication. Because of their structure, physicochemical properties and stability, recent studies are focusing in their use as nanocarriers for different therapeutic compounds for the treatment of different diseases ranging from cancer to Parkinson's disease. However, current bioseparation protocols and methodologies are selected based on the final exosome application or intended use and present both advantages and disadvantages when compared among them. In this context, this review aims to present the most important technologies available for exosome isolation while discussing their advantages and disadvantages and the possibilities of being combined with other strategies. This is critical since the development of novel exosome‐based therapeutic strategies will be constrained to the effectiveness and yield of the selected downstream purification methodologies for which a thorough understanding of the available technological resources is needed.